Women from all over Malmesbury are to enjoy a charity screening of Dirty Dancing in memory of a grandmother who loved to dance.

Fiona Auty, of Reeds Farm, organised the event in memory of her mother, 63-year-old Lynne McAllister, who not only loved to take to the dancefloor, but also went to see Dirty Dancing at the theatre in London years ago with her daughter.

Mrs Auty’s mother died from pancreatic cancer in May last year, the same illness that took the life of the film’s star Patrick Swayze in 2009.

“After she passed away I knew I wanted to do something for Macmillan,” said Mrs Auty of Reeds Farm, Malmesbury.

“The Macmillan nurses really looked after her before she died and I really wanted to do something to raise money for them.”

Mrs McAllister, from Southampton, was diagnosed with cancer in January and given a year to live, but just four months later the illness took hold and she died on May 11.

Dirty Dancing will be shown on the big screen at Malmesbury Town Hall on February 28. Doors open at 7.15pm.

All are welcome to attend, although the vast majority so far who have booked are large groups of women from all over, including a group of 12 from Buckley Barracks.

“I would like it to sell out,” said Mrs Auty, who helps run Malmesbury Brewery with her husband.

“It makes a real difference to the atmosphere to have girls in there, especially with a glass of wine beforehand. The atmosphere will be great.

“It’s a girls’ night out really. It’s a good choice of film and if it had been a different film I don’t know if it would be so popular.

“It would be quite nice to do it as an annual thing but unfortunately you have to pay for the licence to show the film, which I paid for myself this time as that is my contribution.”

As well as bar refreshments, which will contribute to the fundraising, a pick n’ mix and other treats have been organised.

A raffle with items such as a Radley handbag and Malmesbury Brewery gift set will be available for guests after the showing.

For more details, contact Mrs Auty on (01666) 824045 or email maccatastic@hotmail.com.